Manchester United appear to have been overtaken by Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Club Brugge’s Norwegian wonderkid Antonio Nusa.
Four years ago this month, the Red Devils missed out on the opportunity to reunite Ole Gunnar Solksjaer with Erling Haaland after Borussia Dortmund triggered the release clause in his Red Bull Salzburg contract. It goes without saying that, if Manchester United could turn back the clock, they would have done everything in their power to ensure that the finest goalscorer of his generation did not – as it transpired – slip through their fingers.
History could now be about to repeat itself too. Haaland’s baby-faced compatriot Antonio Nusa is now in talks to join United’s top-flight rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham overtake Manchester United
HITC Football understands that Nusa – the Club Brugge whizzkid – is now in talks to join Spurs. Ange Postecoglou’s side have entered what Het Laaste Nieuws describe as ‘far-reaching negotiations’. The London giants are expected to stump up £26 million. They will also offer to leave Nusa on loan at Club Brugge until the remainder of the current campaign.
According to Belgian reporter Pieter-Jan Calcoen, Man United are another of the clubs who have scouted Nusa, a twinkle-toed potential Jadon Sancho replacement who has been likened to Neymar in some quarters.
He is also rated extremely highly by Norway team-mate Martin Odegaard.
“It’s nice to see young Norwegian players who dare to show themselves. They dribble and challenge (the opposition). And, as soon as Nusa comes off the bench, he becomes dangerous,” Odegaard tells VG.
“It’s fun to watch and it’s nice to have them here. (The youngsters) deserve to be here, and they are showing that they belong at this level.”
“(Nusa) is in good shape. And you can see that, as soon as he gets the ball, he goes straight for (the goal). He is extremely good at it. He is good.”
The Norwegian Neymar?
With funds tight at Old Trafford and big-money permanent deals highly unlikely, United may be powerless to prevent Tottenham from snatching Nusa from under Erik ten Hag’s nose.
The teenager would become Spurs’ third January signing. Interestingly, both Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner – who made their debuts in last week’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford – were also linked with United before heading to London.
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